The Tulare Board of Public Utilities will wait at least one month on calling for stricter water use regulations.

Earlier this week, commissioners decided to take up the item in the May 21 meeting, giving city administrator a chance to refine the resolution that may bring the city to Stage 3 Water Conservation Restrictions. Currently, Tulare is on Stage 2.

Commissioner Dick Johnson brought up the idea after a lengthy, nearly one-hour long discussion during the Board of Public Utilities Commission meeting Thursday.

Johnson said commissioners can wait to adopt new water regulations.

"We are not running out water," he said.

Commissioner Phillip Smith agreed.

"I think we need to go stage 3, but we have to do it methodically," he said. "It should be one methodical step at a time."

"We need to do something," Watte said. "We're in a drought and it hasn't rained."

Watte continued: "The city should go to Stage 4. Given the severity of the situation, how could you not?"

The board voted 4-1 on waiting. Commissioner Edward Henry was the dissenting vote.

California is going into a fourth year of drought. There are no indicators it will end soon.

"I think we need to do community service for the city of Tulare, show leadership and do something," Brehm said.

Adopting either Stage 3 or 4 would mean stricter water use, likely leading to a consumption decrease. If there's a water consumption decrease, money for the troubled water fund would also decline. There's the possibility water would have to increase, city officials said.

The stricter water regulation would mean decreasing outdoor watering and use.

Regardless, Brehm said that should not be a consideration.

"We need to look at water levels and not economics," he said.

(Photo: Steve R. Fujimoto)

The board was discussing the issue, in part, because earlier this month Gov. Jerry Brown ordered a statewide water consumption reduction.

However, Tulare officials said it's not yet clear what Brown's order means.

"There are too many moving parts," Tulare Public Works Director Joe Carlini said.

Smith said portions of the State 3 don't fit with Tulare's businesses and usage. He suggested city administrators work to customize for local use.

Johnson said the time until the May 21 meeting should suffice.

In the meantime, Henry said he would like to see conservation efforts as well as a move to educate and provide information about the drought

"We should educate before we adopt these draconian rules," he said.

Tulare City Manager Don Dorman said all efforts should be made to take on the water shortage and its effects.

"We want to pull in all the resources and come up with a resolution," he said.

On Tuesday, the Tulare City Council will take up the issue at its meeting.